1990 BMW Z1 Roadster
A short history of the BMW Z-1 Roadster is in order. This car was conceived as a show piece to display the technical wizardry of the BMW Technik GMBH division, which was an advanced engineering and prototyping group within BMW. They made a very advanced chassis / frame of galvanized steel for strength, and made the body panels of thermoplastic, which combined light weight with easy collision repair and the possibility of color change with a spare set of body panels! The Floorpan was a composite material, bonded to the chassis! The styling was done by Harm Legay, who had Porsche design credits with the 944.
The reaction to the prototype at it’s first show was so overwhelming that BMW decided to actually build the car in limited production!
The Door operation was very unique, with a motorized belt operating the door – which travels up and down – and the windows. It can be driven with the doors down, for a very sporting, open air experience!
Mechanically, it has a 6 cylinder 170 Horsepower , 2500 CC BMW engine sourced from the E30 Series, and a 5 speed getrag transmission mated to the “Z-axle”, BMW’s first production multi-link independent rear axle. It’s power and extreme light weight make it a very sporty car indeed!
Although they were never officially imported into the US, This car has the DOT “Show Car Exemption” waiver that allows it to be used up to 2,500 miles per year. It has a clean California title, and it has just passed California smog. It’s extremely rare in the US, with only 8 cars believed to be in America!
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This photo shows the essence of the car – a super sporty 2 seat roadster with a delightful door arrangement!
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Here it is with the doors and top in the up position.
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The paint is the original, still in excellent condition, a deep metallic green / teal . This car is extremely original, with only about 80,000 Kilometers showing.
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Here’s another view of the paint, which is deep and lustrous. The top is the original one, and in excellent condition.
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The Personalized plate is included with the car!
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Spectacular, original, and unbelievably rare in the US!
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The doors and windows work beautifully, as does the rest of the car.
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And here’s a great BMW factory option, the deluxe hardtop!
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Note the speakers and the light bar. This is a nicely optioned hardtop! And, of course, it is included with the car.
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Very Sporting dashboard with full instrumentation.
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Here’s the heater / defroster controls and vents, and the Sony Radio/CD player. The BMW Z-1 was not equipped with Air Conditioning.
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Beatiful padded dash design. Everywhere you look , there is a unique and beautiful design feature.
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The mileage is a relatively low 80,000 Kilometers, which equates to just under 50,000 miles.
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Another unique design feature – The windshield header /grab bar with unique sunvisors made to fit.
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The sunvisor
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The seats are leather – the darker green portion was replaced, and the very, very pale green upper portions are the original. It’s in good shape for original, but you can see some wear, cracking and patina on the lighter colored leather.
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Again, the leather seats are good for original, but not quite new looking anymore. I love the styling of the bucket seats.
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although hard to see in the photo, the driver’s side sill cover has some scuffs where your foot travels over it upon exit.
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Another view showing the scuffs. on the doorsill.
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This is an interesting feature, a 6 disc mini-disc player!
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Look at the reflections in the original paint!
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BMW E30 Six Cylinder engine – runs great, easy to service, and passes California Smog!
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Nice and clean and well kept.
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the hood is actually made of fiberglass.
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I noted a paint scuff on the forward corner, you can just barely see it. However, that big white line is just the reflection of the parking lot stripe!
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The paint is amazingly good! and it’s the actual, original paint! I noted a scratch / scuff here just above the tailight.
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2 sets of keys
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Original spare wheel in excellent condition.
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This very car was featured in BIMMER magazine in 2008!
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The all-Important DOT letter that allows the car to be Driven on the Road up to 2,500 miles per year! Bill Gates got one of these letters for his Porsche 959. If you buy this car, the letter goes with it!
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Here’s the smog cert from 2011, and we just got a new, current smog certificate in 2013.
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Detailed maintenance and history binder is included.
Offered by the Vault Classic Cars Dealership, Anaheim, CA, call us at 714-401-1047 .
International customers are welcome to bid ! We’ve sent many cars overseas.
THERE IS NO COOLING OFF PERIOD UNLESS YOU OBTAIN A CONTRACT CANCELLATION OPTION. California law does not provide for a “cooling off” period for vehicle lease or purchase contracts. Therefore, you cannot later cancel such a contract simply because you change your mind, decide the vehicle costs too much, or wish you had acquired a different vehicle. After you sign a motor vehicle purchase or lease contract, it may only be cancelled with the agreement of the seller or lessor or for legal cause, such as fraud. However, California law does require the seller to offer a 2 day contract cancellation option on used vehicles with a purchase price of less than $40,000, subject to certain statutory conditions. See the vehicle contract cancellation option agreement for details.
The prospective purchaser of a vehicle may, at his or her own expense and with the approval of the dealer, have the vehicle inspected by an independent third party either on or off the dealership premises. All Prices shown DO NOT include California Sales Tax, DMV fees, smog certificate on post-1975 vehicles, Documentation fees, and any late registration fees owed to DMV. Out of state customers are responsible to pay sales tax and any other government fees in their own state. Out of state customers are not required to pay California Sales Tax and DMV fees IF the car is shipped by ICC licensed carrier, AND a notarized statement of delivery is signed upon delivery. If you fly in and drive it home, we are required to charge Tax and DMV for driving on California roads ! Car is sold mileage exempt due to age, meaning it’s not possible to know the exact mileage on a car of this age. All signed contract documentation must be received AND full payment received before the car will be released to the new owner.
Sold AS-IS, with NO WARRANTY.
We are happy to work with legitimate overseas buyers, and we can assist with getting the car shipped to most international ports. Shipping is at buyers expense, the car is sold FOB Anaheim, CA. There is an additional $200 cost to flatbed the car to any freight forwarder in the Los Angeles, CA area.
If you have questions, please contact us at 714-401-1047 during Pacific Daylight Business hours.